FAO, IFAD and The World Bank are organizing a roundtable for ECOSOC's high-level segment activities on "The role of agriculture and rural development in eradication of hunger and poverty"

FAO, IFAD and The World Bank are organizing a ministerial roundtable on "The role of agriculture and rural development in eradication of hunger and poverty" as part of a one-day meeting being organized by the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) on 30 April 2003 at UN headquarters in New York.

This meeting is part of a series of preparatory events for this year's ECOSOC high-level segment to be held from 30 June to 2 July 2003 Geneva, Switzerland. ECOSOC, in its effort in promoting higher standards of living, full employment and economic and social progress has a leading role in key policy areas, providing policy guidance and proposals for action. The high-level segment is part of the annual four-week substantive session held every year by ECOSOC and allows national cabinet ministers, chiefs of international agencies and other high officials to concentrate on discussions related to a theme of global significance. The theme for this year is: "Promoting an integrated approach to rural development in developing countries for poverty eradication and sustainable development".

The meeting on 30 April will include a high level committee on programme panel discussion and several interactive Ministerial roundtables centered on "The role of rural development in the achievement and implementation of internationally agreed development goals including those contained in the UN Millennium Declaration".

Another preparatory event already took place on 24 March at the UN headquarters in New York: a brainstorming dialogue session related to the high level segment theme. During this event, FAO and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) had the opportunity to discuss policies, goals and commitments related to the integrated approaches to rural development. Many of the participants during the brainstorming session stressed the need for ECOSOC to focus on what the countries can do, how a difference can be made, what should be done differently in rural development in relation to the Millennium Development Goals, PRSPs and other instruments. The participants also recognized the inter-connection of agriculture, natural resources management, trade and social development priorities and the importance of moving beyond a sector-based approach.

For more information on the high-level segment please click here.